As the year slowly or rapidly (depending on perspective) comes to a close, I thought to share this poem again. A poem reminding us that each day is a gift, and those who love us and Nature herself are precious gifts. I hope you enjoy for a second time around if you’ve already read it earlier in the year.

For All That Was Lost Has Been Found
When the sun descends behind emerald, rolling hills
and evening offers all that it owns, my husband falls
into a serious slumber in a matter of seconds โ I am envious.
It takes more than seconds for my mind to shut down,
for thoughts to pause for an eveningโs repose.
The flowers in our garden turn in for the night,
and the smiles in their blooms wait for dawnโs greeting.
Critters burrow in their homes, although darkness calls some
to come out and play and we miss the show.
Our dreams carry us through minutes and hours
until night bids farewell,
the cue for morning to slide into her spotlight.
And when she does, we witness again the glorious sun
rising over those rolling hills,
one more sky where clouds stay hidden,
one more kiss from each other,
the one who accelerates our heartbeatsโฆ
when our children are home, they gift us with another hug,
age is irrelevantโฆfrom babies to adults,
their hugs are priceless like the moment we draw a new breath.
And donโt forget how nature delights with her offeringsโฆ
our feathered friends sing their wake-up chorus of joy,
bushy-tailed squirrels skitter along redwood fence tops.
How do their tiny feet not miss a step,
tumbling their little bodies to the ground?
So, we wipe the sleep from our eyes, gratitude flows through our veins,
for all that was lost in the darkness has been found on this fresh, magnificent day.
ยฉ Lauren Scott
On another note, I was honored to be included in Diana’s November book reviews. Diana shares excellent monthly reviews on her blog, Myths of the Mirror. She read Cora’s Quest the first day and gave Cora 5 glowing stars. You can visit her here to read her wonderful review and those of several other great books perfect for shopping for the holiday season. Thanks again, Diana! ๐
Diana Wallace Peach – mythsofthemirror
Author of The Necromancer’s Daughter
Today, I’m honored to be included in Sally’s roundup post which you can find here. Sally at Smorgasbord Blog Magazine is so kind and generous by helping other authors promote their new books. So, I am truly grateful, and as I told her, the happy dance continues, and in Cora’s case, it’s a happy deer dance! ๐
Sally Cronin – smorgasbordblogmagazine
Author of Size Always Matters
I’m sure most indie authors would agree that promoting books isn’t fun. But we only have ourselves, and family and friends who offer to help out. So, thank you for reading, and if you’ve bought a copy of Cora’s Quest, Chris and I thank you from the bottom of our hearts. ๐
Wishing you all a lovely day and week ahead,
Lauren โค๏ธ
ยฉ Lauren Scott, Baydreamerwrites.com โ All rights reserved.

New Release! Click on the image if you’d like
to purchase a copy! โค๏ธ๐
This marketing stuff is crazy! It’s taken all my time (well, there has been my son’s two-week visit–very distracting!). I can’t wait to get back to writing. Congrats on Sally’s shout out!
I know! My writing has been on the back burner too. But it’s always nice to have our kids visit, so worth the distraction. Thanks so much, Jacqui! Have a good Sunday!
a lovely poem, Lauren. Iโm like your husband, I sleep easily.
Thanks, Robbie, and you’re so lucky! ๐
Continued congratulations, Lauren!
And thank you for the repost of your poignant poem. These words will stick with me for a long while:
…”when our children are home, they gift us with another hug,
age is irrelevantโฆfrom babies to adults,
their hugs are priceless…”
xo! ๐ฅฐ
Thanks so much, Vicki! My writing has taken a back seat for obvious reasons, so I perused the oldies. I’m glad you liked the poem and that special line. Since my son and daughter live out of state, those hugs are priceless. โค๏ธ๐ค๐ป
I hear you! And gosh yes. The time spent launching and promoting is important…but even for you…there are only so many hours. Big hugs! Thanks for reposting…I loved this piece. ๐ฅฐ
Well, I really need to retire! Then there’d be more hours in a day. But another year to go. ๐ Big hugs, Vicki, and thanks again for your lovely words! xo ๐บ
You betcha! Enjoy your Sunday, dear one! ๐ฅฐ
Lauren I love your poem.โค๏ธ๐ฅฐ๐น
So much hope ๐ especially the last lines.
Best of success always my friend xoxo
I agree, marketing ๐ lol.!
Thanks so much, Maggie, for your lovely words. And your wishes for my book are greatly appreciated, my friend. And yes, marketing, so much fun! ๐คฉ๐๐น
Aww Lauren it is a pleasure my friend ๐ฅฐ๐นโค๏ธ
You have a winner there for sure!
Cora is a cutie ๐ค
Best wishes always ๐๐๐
Thanks again, Maggie! My nephew, Chris, delivered perfectly after I told him what I was thinking for Cora and each image for the pages. I appreciate you! Hugs xoxoxo
I appreciate you too my friend
Xoxox
Warm hugs across the pond!โค๏ธ๐ฅฐ๐น
โค๏ธ๐ฅฐโค๏ธ๐
Such a beautiful and reflective poem Lauren. It reminds me of God’s Grace and the way He restores what is lost. Every new day is a gift, a reminder of His constant presence and love. The way nature reflects His glory and the joy of being with loved ones is a precious Blessing.
Thanks so much for your beautiful comment, Willie. I really appreciate you sharing what my poem means to you.
Your poem is so lovely. I think the book is adorable, too, and I hope to read it soon. ๐
Thanks for your lovely words about the poem, Kymber, and I hope you enjoy Cora’s Quest when you have time to read it. ๐ฅฐ
I’m sure I will. ๐
โค๏ธ๐
I love your ode to the gift of a new day! Words to live by . . .
Thanks, Liz! That’s kind of you…
You’re welcome, Lauren!
โค the gift of a new day is the best there can be
Definitely! Thanks, Beth! ๐
Lauren – a wonderful reflection on the movement of living, of being in sync with ourselves, nature and community.
Thanks for your beautiful comment, Rebecca. I love your takeaway from my poem. Hugs ๐ฅฐ
So true! Each day is a gift.
Yes, it is! ๐ค
We appreciate each day being a gift as we age.
So true, Ian! Thank you!
I adore the poem, Lauren, thank you!
Yay for Sally and Diana! Heading over.
Have the best week, and best cheer to your son!
xoxoxoxo
Thanks so much, Resa! So kind of Sally and Diana to help promote my book! I keep feeling gratitude! Wishing you the same, and my son is home from the hospital after having two procedures. We were on standby to fly to CO, but he said that he was okay. Itโs hard living far away, and yet, weโre proud of them for following their dreams. I just thought Iโd get better at the distance thing. Sorry for the ramble. Have a great week too! I started Nine Black Lives and Iโm hooked! โค๏ธ๐ค๐๐ป๐ท
Dear Lauren,
You are a family, nature person, with a full heart.
Perhaps you will never get used to the physical distance, but therein lies all of the wisdom of love that went before us.
I’m trying to make sense, but I’m not a philosopher.
Have the best week, dear Lauren! xxoxoxoxo
I hadn’t read your poem before, Lauren. I like it very much. My wife sounds lkike your husband. I’ve never known anyone who can fall asleep so easily anywhere she is. Going to sleep is much more of a challenge for me. I stay up late reading until my eyes get heavy.
Thanks so much, Pete, and my husband and your wife are so lucky. ๐ I have my good nights, but many are challenging, like you said. ๐ I’m glad you liked my poem.
Beautiful!
Thanks so much, Sheila! ๐
A lovely poem Lauren
Thanks so much, Sadje! ๐น
You are most welcome
A delightful poem. I enjoyed its celebration of nature and family, along with feeling grateful for so much wonder. ๐
Thanks for your kind words, Dave! I’m so glad you enjoyed this poem. Happy Wednesday! ๐
I love waking up from that darkness to a fresh new day, Lauren xo
It’s a good feeling, isn’t it, Denise! Thanks for stopping by! ๐ค๐
I enjoyed your poem, Lauren. It’s sure a magnificent day here with our first big dump of snow… an hour and a half clearing it. Not so much of nature to observe at this time of year, other than all the nighttime critters’ tracks in the fresh snow. It’s still plenty to be grateful for (along with the health to be able to clear the thick, heavy stuff!). I hope you are having a good Monday!
I’m so glad you liked the poem, Steve, and I’d love to see even a little dusting of snow. ๐ Yes, so much to be grateful for, and sorry for the late reply!
So, Happy Wednesday, my friend! โ๏ธโ๏ธโ๏ธ
A happy Wednesday to you as well, Lauren!
All so enchanting Lauren, including your photo. I love the thought of flowers turning in for the night. Thank you for sharing and a wonderful week to you! ๐๐ผ
Thanks so much for your lovely comment, Michele, and the thought of flowers turning in for the night is one of my favorites too. ๐ I’m glad you enjoyed the poem and photo (taken on a walk around the block). Sorry for the delayed reply, but I wish you a wonderful Wednesday! ๐๐น๐ค
You’re very welcome and please, no need to apologize. I understand. ๐ค So far, so good! A wonderful day to you too, dear Lauren. ๐๐๐ป
๐บ๐
Congrats on all the promos and great reviews Lauren. โค
Thanks, Debby! I appreciate your kind words. ๐ฅฐโค๏ธ
โค
Lauren your poem is excellent and so nice to see so many bloggers writing great reviews about your book. Hearty congratulations dear. Thanks ๐
Thanks for your lovely words, Kamal. I’m glad you enjoyed the poem, and I’m so grateful for the early wonderful reviews. ๐ฅฐ
You are always welcome dear Lauren. Lots of love and hugs ๐ค
Marketing sucks! It takes up so much time, and I’m sure people get sick of hearing about it and seeing it. I appreciate their tolerance and patience. This is such a beautiful poem, and you’re such a wonderful poet, Lauren!
You took the words right out of my mouth, Dawn! ๐ And thank you about the poem and your wonderful complement. I’m going to hang onto those words for a while. ๐ฅฐ๐
Such a beautiful poem, Lauren! I love the feelings of enchantment. And it is always a pleasure to see your book doing well!
Hi Layla, thanks for your kind words about my poem and book. They’re greatly appreciated, and I hope you’re having a wonderful holiday season. ๐
Whether our books are published through a traditional publisher or self-published, much of the promotion rests on the shoulders of the author. Help with that promotion is always greatly appreciated. Congratulations, Lauren.
Thanks for your kind words and wishes, Mary. Marketing is necessary, and I am very grateful for the help I’ve received. ๐
Gorgeous poetry, Lauren. Deep and meaningful. Also, continued success with your book. Looks as though you’re receiving a lot of accolades, and deservedly so. ๐
Thanks very much, Mike, on both counts! I always appreciate your feedback and wonderful support, my friend. Your kind words mean a lot. ๐ค
Beautiful Lauren ๐ Love it! โค
Thanks for your lovely words, Carol Anne! xoxoxo